Loggerenberg said he and Sars had reached a 'mutual agreement to amicably part ways'.
Senior South African Revenue Service (Sars) official Johann van Loggerenberg, who has led a number of successful probes into those such as Julius Malema, resigned on Wednesday and it has been said his resignation was linked to a complaint by a woman with whom he had had a relationship.
An inquiry into Van Loggerenberg’s behaviour was launched after Pretoria-based lawyer Belinda Walter, in a complaint to Sars, allegedly made a number of claims against Van Loggerenberg, including that he revealed confidential tax information to her.
Sars has denied the veracity of many of the allegations.
Van Loggerenberg, who worked for the revenue service for 16 years, said he and Sars had reached a “mutual agreement to amicably part ways … with the interest of Sars as an institution, the state and the country as a whole as uppermost consideration”.
Error in judgment
He said: “I acknowledge that I erred in personal judgment, concerning a matter in my private life, and this led to unforeseen consequences that were outside my control. I sincerely apologise to Sars, its employees and the country for my mistake.
“I have reached a point in the process where the events have taken a significant toll on my family and loved ones, others and my own life, I believe that the parting of ways with Sars is in the best interest of Sars.”
Sars is already under scrutiny following revelations that there was a rogue unit within the revenue service that had been conducting investigations into taxpayers, which has led to the suspension of deputy commissioner Ivan Pillay.
Under a cloud
Sars commissioner Oupa Magashula also quit under a cloud after allegedly offering a job to an associate of convicted drug dealer Timmy Marimuthu.
Walter alleges in the letter that Van Loggerenberg had discussed some of his investigations with her.
Van Loggerenberg asked Sars staff to support revenue services head Tom Moyane and his management “with the same dedication and vigour as they did with the previous management”. He wished them all well in the future.